How to View Local Users and Groups in Windows 8 or 8.1 (Historical)

Historical support note: Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 are out of support.

The Local Users and Groups Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in lets an administrator view and manage local user and group accounts on supported Windows editions.

Fastest method

On an edition that includes the snap-in:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

lusrmgr.msc

3. Press Enter.

This opens Local Users and Groups directly.

Add the snap-in to a custom MMC console

If you want to create your own management console:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt or the Run dialog.
2. Type mmc and press Enter.
3. In MMC, select File > Add/Remove Snap-in.
4. Select Local Users and Groups and choose Add.
5. Select Local computer.
6. Choose Finish, then OK.
7. Expand Local Users and Groups (Local) to view Users and Groups.
8. If you want to reuse this console, select File > Save As and save the .msc file.

Edition limitation

The Local Users and Groups snap-in is not included in every Windows client edition. In particular, Home/Core editions do not normally provide this management interface. If the snap-in is absent, use the account-management options available to that edition rather than downloading an unofficial replacement.

Security note

Being able to see an account does not mean it should be enabled or added to Administrators. Use the least privilege needed for the task.

Reference

Microsoft local-account documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-protection/access-control/local-accounts